I've heard stories of how bad a game of Dwarf Fortress can turn out to be, but I've never expected it to begin so soon. The dwarven city of Ingnofort was recently abandoned and it's strength was broken, but not without a fight. It was autumn of the year 129, the quiet wilderness has left the fortress to build it's wealth to grand proportions. Single thieves and child snatchers would be spotted every so often, but each time they were routed out of the land. The metals, jewels and goods were increasing at an incredible rate as were the amount of citizens. It reached a high point of one hundred and twenty-four denizens. Sadly, they were all unprepared for that faithful day.
Spotted on the south-west was a small invasion force of goblins, the watchdogs had such keen eyes. The military was training while the alert went off, yet we soon realized there were too many. The dogs rushed in to attack, but were immediately slain. The hunters which were out killing game were fleeing back to the entrance while firing bolts at the goblins. Two of them were killed, but the rest of the fleet still gave chase. The hunters made it inside as the goblins ignored them to slaughter the food animals in the pasture. The militia gathered before the stone traps set at the entrance waiting for the impending rush of swords. The first goblins came in and were decimated by the stone traps, blood covered the walls. The next wave arrived and most were slain, but they were too strong for the militia. Deciding to risk their lives, they lead the goblins away from their home into the fields to buy time for the other dwarves to reinforce the entrance. All looked to be lost for the warriors.
An elven trade caravan arrived and dawned their eyes on the continuing fight. They immediately joined forces and helped slay the goblins. Many good dwarves died that day, including their legendary mason Ingod. The goblins were driven back, but knowingly would return. The dwarven militia were defeated, with three killed and five wounded, they were taken to the hospital wing for surgery and healing. Some dwarven children were also caught in the battle killing three. Two of the hunters helping the militia also suffered severe wound, insuring they could never use a crossbow again. Each dwarf was trying to help, each doing a job to ensure the fortress's survival, but they didn't succeed...
Many fell depressed and became miserable, the stocks of booze almost came to a halt, tensions between dwarves rose as fistfights broke out. No one could do their jobs since that battle. Many withdrew into their rooms and died from starvation or thirst. The warriors in the hospital wing died from their injuries and seemed to haunt the halls of the fortress. No one moved the bodies of the dead to the tombs, but then again there were no coffins to place them in. Production halted, they were seemingly waiting for their own demise.
During the summer of the following year, the dwarves have each calmed themselves and were getting back to doing the labor again. There were still few that were too depressed to work, but the others kept the fort running. Then... spotted from the south-west once again was a massive army of goblins and trolls seemingly coming back for vengeance. During this exact time, the dwarves broke into a cavern below the fortress filled with gems, ores, and all types of precious minerals. It was the largest underground cavern they've seen and was extremely expansive. The goblins rushed the entrance, the trolls attacked and maimed anything on the ground above. Any dwarf outside the fortress was murdered quickly. The goblins stormed inside, a river of death ran through the entrance. Blood spattered the walls like paint and ran down the central stairs to the dining room. Bodies lay in the halls and rooms, the workshops were empty. Each dwarf was in the dining room all huddling in a corner fearing for their lives as the goblins approached. Almost all were slaughtered and when the goblins finally left, the dwarves were so traumatized that they began killing each other or went into seclusion into their rooms. This was the end of Ingnofort, they were strong enough to drive off two goblin invasions, but couldn't survive the emotional toll of doing such.
That one just a single play through of Dwarf Fortress and as said, the fun is in the loosing. I can't wait to start another fortress with my next dwarven settlement and see what happens next time.
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